reef setup info

Been lurking for a while gathering info and now have a few ?'s. I have a 26 g bow that has been running FOWLR 4 years and now I want to go reef. I am thinking of doing a 5g fuge in the stand as that's all that will fit. I will be moving in June-July so I don't want to go bigger until then. I have a 90g with 55g fuge I will be going to once I have a stable floor to put it on. This 26g will get me time and experience for the larger tank down the road.
26G setup now has 30lbs live rock, 2" live sand, 2 clowns, 5 crabs, 5 snails, I just lost my peppermint to a falling rock(they will be glued), cheap skimmer, 2 MJ 600, HOB filter.
I am thinking 5g fuge with heater, coralife skimmer, 6500k light bulb, 10lbs rock, chaeto, maybe sand, 500gph pump.
Tank I am thinking 10lbs more live rock, 2" more live sand, 144w t5 light, 2 MJ900 w/sure flow kits, custom pvc overflow and return.
As to what I am going to put in it I am still unsure. With that setup I should be OK with most corals right. I will be adding more to my clean up crew and adding a fish or 2 and a new shrimp or 2.
Please let me know how this sounds and if there are changes to be made. Also and good reading on corals would be great. I know what the differences are on soft and hard are and that stuff, but would like to now more about installing them and what to expect on growth and placement.
Thanks for any info and criticism in advance as it is always welcome.

 

It sounds like you're going to have a sump/fuge all in one chamber? If so then I'd recommend against it. I prefer to have lower flow through the fuge to stop any macro algaes from getting clogged in the outflow. You need higher flow through the sump to maximize your heating/skimming. Consider having a separate sump and fuge or just starting with a sump and build a fuge later.

How long has the existing sand been in there? If it's been the entire 4 years then you might want to swap out the majority of it, keeping maybe 10% to act as a seed.

 

The sand is at least 4 years old. I will get a new sand bed.
So if I do a sump what should I put in it just the heater and skimmer.
Thanks so far for the info.

 

My sump currently as the heaters and protein skimmer along with dosing outputs.

Why are you limited to 5 gallons? Is it a footprint size thing? How much height do you have?

 

The 5g fits in the stand. I could go taller if needed. Footprint in 18" long x 10" deep x 20" tall if needed. 5G is easy and cheap VS making a custom one to fit.